‘We can’t stop the growth.’ These Triangle cities and towns are booming in NC
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North Carolina 2020 census data
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The Triangle metro area saw some of the largest population gains in the state over the last decade, according to new census data.
That’s not a surprise to folks who’ve called the Triangle home in recent years.
Cities and towns like Fuquay-Varina, Knightdale and Rolesville grew exponentially, new data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows.
Fuquay-Varina gained more than 16,000 new residents in the last 10 years, nearly doubling to 34,152 people.
Knightdale grew by 70.5% for a total population of nearly 20,000 residents. Rolesville grew by 150.3% for a total population of 9,475.
Raleigh is still the largest city in the Triangle (and second-largest in the state after Charlotte) with over 60,000 new residents and a population of 467,665.
And Cary, with nearly 40,000 new residents, is the seventh most populous town in North Carolina with a population of 174,721 residents.
Hot housing market
Kerry Haynie, a Duke University professor of political science, says the region’s growth is ongoing.
“If the housing market is any indication, I think we will see there will be significant growth,” he said just before the census numbers were released. “It’s been an area of significant growth over the decade, and I expect that will continue.”
Homes are selling in Raleigh in just four days, making the area one of the hottest housing markets in the country, The News & Observer has reported.
“North Carolina, in general, but the Triangle, in particular, has been very popular with regards to business relocation and folks coming to the area,” Haynie said.
“Recently Apple and others are moving to the Triangle,” he said. “That means we’re going to grow. How that happens exactly remains to be seen.”
Durham maintains its ranking as the fourth largest city in North Carolina, trailing Greensboro by fewer than 20,000 people.
Chapel Hill grew by 8.3% with nearly 62,000 residents.
“That train has arrived, and it’s just getting started,” said Nathan Spencer, director of WakeUP Wake County. The nonprofit has been working for 15 years to help plan for the area’s growing population.
Area communities have made good policy choices like voters backing affordable housing bonds in Raleigh and Durham, investments in public transit and commitment to address climate change, he said.
“Our climate and our communities demand we do more,” he said. “We can’t stop the growth.”
Population changes
Here’s a snapshot of population growth for Triangle towns
This story was originally published August 12, 2021 at 3:22 PM with the headline "‘We can’t stop the growth.’ These Triangle cities and towns are booming in NC."
